Objective To investigate whether clinical,endocrine,and sonographic characteristics of infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could predict the ovarian response to clomiphene citrate (CC) medication.Methods A prospective study was conducted,85 women with PCOS were given CC 50 mg per day for 5 days.In the case of an absent response,doses were increased to 100 daily in subsequent cycles.Clinical,endocrine,and sonographic characteristics were compared between responders and nonresponders.Results The cycle history (oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea) and antral follicle count (AFC) were significantly different in responders from those in nonresponders (P ＜ 0.05).There were no differences in age,serum testosterone,follicle stimulating hormone (FSH),luteotropic hormone (LH),body mass index (BMI),insulin resistant index (HOMA-IR),and glucose and insulin levels between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).In addition,multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that cycle history and AFC were the predictors of ovarian response to CC treatment.Conclusions The cycle history and AFC can be used as the simple and effective parameters to predict ovarian response to CC treatment in PCOS patients.

Objective · To observe the effects of custom made fiber posts on the fracture resistance of young permanent teeth treated with calcium hydroxide for different time. Methods · Forty-five extracted human young permanent teeth (premolar) were selected and randomly assigned to 9 groups.One group was the control group and the rest 8 groups were treated with conventional root canal preparation. Of these 8 groups, 4 groups (F Ⅰ , F Ⅲ , F Ⅵ ,FⅨ ) were restored by custom made fiber posts after being treated with calcium hydroxide for 1, 3, 6, and 9 months respectively, and other 4 groups (C Ⅰ ,CⅢ , C Ⅵ , C Ⅸ ) were not restored by custom made fiber posts. All samples underwent fracture strength tests and their fracture modes were analyzed for the possibility of second repair. Results · The fracture load was decreased with the treatment time after being treated with calcium hydroxide for 1 month (P<0.01). The fracture loads in groups restored by custom made fiber posts were increased after being treated with calcium hydroxide for 6 and 9 months (P<0.05, P<0.01). After being treated with calcium hydroxide for 1 month, groups restored by custom made fiber posts were likely to have fracture modes that facilitate the second repair as compared with groups not restored by custom made fiber posts (P<0.05). Conclusion · The restoration by custom made fiber posts can increase the fracture resistance of young permanent teeth treated with calcium hydroxide for medium and long term ( ≥ 1 month).

OBJECTIVETo observe the difference in acupuncture for pain threshold at different time points among the groups of 9 TCM constitutions.

METHODSThe cross-sectional survey was adopted to investigate TCM constitutions among 600 subjects and determine 9 TCM constitution types (neutral constitution, qi-deficiency constitution, yang-deficiency constitution, yin-deficiency constitution, phlegm-damp constitution, damp-heat constitution, blood-stagnation constitution, qi-stagnation constitution, special diathesis constitution). The same acupuncture manipulation was applied to Zusanli (ST 36) on the left side in the subjects and the needle was retained for 30 min. The tenderness threshold was detected with 2390 type Von Frey apparatus at different time points, named before acupuncture, at the moment after qi arrival, in 10 min of needle retaining, in 30 min of needle retaining and in 15 min after needle withdrawal in the subjects of 9 TCM constitutions.

RESULTSThe interactive effect happened between the constitution type and time point (P < 0.05). Among the groups of 9 TCM constitutions, the pain threshold values at the moment after qi arrival (except blood-stagnation constitution, qi-stagnation constitution, special diathesis constitution) in 10 min of needle retaining and in 30 min of needle retaining were increased as compared with those before acupuncture separately (P < 0.01), among which, the value increase was the most significant in 30 min of needle retaining. The differences in the pain thresholds were significant in 15 min after needle withdrawal in the groups of neutral constitution and damp-heat constitution as compared with those before acupuncture (both P < 0.01). In 10 min of needle retaining and in 30 min of needle retaining, as compared with the group of neutral constitution, the changes in pain thresholds of the rest abnormal constitutions were apparently lower (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) presents different effects among the groups of different constitution types. The effect maintaining durations are different.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pain Management ; Pain Threshold ; Yang Deficiency ; therapy ; Yin Deficiency ; therapy ; Young Adult

Antigens ; immunology ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; immunology ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

BACKGROUND: Inhibiting the degradation of extracellular matrix in the intervertebral disc can delay the degenerative process of intervertebral disc. Matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP3) is considered as a key enzyme for degradation of extracelular matrix components such as type II collagen and aggrecan.
OBJECTIVE:To construct the short hairpin RNA lentiviral vector targeting human MMP3 gene and to detect its efficiency of gene silence by infecting human degenerative nucleus pulposus cells.
METHODS:According to the human MMP3 mRNA (NM_002422.4) sequence, four groups of the short hairpin RNA gene sequences targeting MMP3 were designed, synthesized and annealed to form double stranded DNA fragments, which were connected with the LV3 vectors digested by BamHI andEcoRI enzymes, and then transfected into the competent cels. The positive clones were identified by PCR, and analyzed by sequencing. The packaging and titer of lentivirus were determined after transfecting 293T cells. Human degenerative nucleus pulposus cels were infected with lentivirus vector, and the transfection efficiency of each group was observed under inverted fluorescence microscope. The interfering efficiency was detected by real time-PCR and western blot at 72 and 96 hours.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The ds-oligo DNA was successfully inserted into the lentiviral vector as confirmed by electrophoresis and sequence analysis. The recombinant lentivirus was harvested from 293T cels with a viral titer of 1-5 ×108 TU/mL. RNA interference targeting the GCC AGG CTT TCC CAA GCA AAT sequences with the highest interfering efficiency in MMP3 gene at 72 and 96 hours resulted in suppression of MMP3 mRNA expression by 98% and 72%, respectively; and at 96 hours, the interfering efficiency of protein expression was 57.2%. The recombinant lentivirus vector containing RNA interference targeting MMP3 gene is successfuly constructed, which lays a foundation for further studies on the MMP3 function and gene therapy.

Objective To explore the function of p53 on regulating the expression of miR-148b in lung cancer cell line PC-9 and its corresponding molecular mechanism and the impact on cell proliferation. Methods Transient transfection of p53 eukaryotic expressing plasmids into lung cancer cell line PC-9 was performed to establish a cell model over-expressing p53. RT-PCR was used to explicit the impact of p53 on the expression of miR-148b. A reporter vector containing miR-148b promoter was used to investigate the function of p53 on regulating the transcription of miR-148b. Low-expressing miR-148b by transfecting its specific inhibitors , a CCK-8 assay was performed to explore the influence of miR-148b on the lung cancer cell proliferation inhibited by p53. Results Over-expression of p53 promoted miR-148b expression in lung cancer cell line PC-9. P53 could increase the luciferase activity driven by miR-148b promoters. Knockdown of miR-148b attenuated the impact of p53 on inhibiting the proliferation of PC-9 cells. Conclusion P53 inhibits the proliferation of lung cancer cell line PC-9 partially depending on miR-148b.

Objective To explore the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC),and to investigate the correlation between a clinical complete response (cCR) and a pathologic complete response (pCR).Methods One hundred and fifty-eight patients with locally advanced thoracic ESCC from 2001 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery.Platinumbased chemotherapy regimens were adopted in chemotherapy and a prescribed dose of 40 Gy in 20 fractions,5 fractions per week,was used in radiotherapy.The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and pairwise comparisons and univariate prognostic analyses were performed using the log-rank test.Multivariable prognostic analyses were performed using the Cox regression model.Results The pCR rate was 41.1％ in all patients.After the treatment with neoadjuvant CRT,32(72.7％) out of 44 patients with a cCR had a pCR,but only 33(28.9％) out of 114 patients with a non-cCR had a pCR (P =0.000).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of a cCR in predicting a pCR were 49.2％,87.1％,72.7％,and 71.1％,respectively.The 3-year sample size was 91.The 3-year OS and DFS rates in all patients were 53.9％ and 48.6％,respectively.Patients with a cCR had significantly higher 3-year OS and DFS rates than those with a non-cCR (P =0.012;P =0.026),while patients with a pCR had significantly higher 3-year OS and DFS rates than those with a non-pCR (P =0.000;P =0.000).The multivariate analyses demonstrated that the pathologic response after CRT and chemotherapy regimen were the influencing factors for OS.The most common grade ≥3 acute adverse reaction was leucopenia (34.2％).Conclusions With a high pCR rate and tolerable adverse reactions,neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery is a safe and effective option for locally advanced ESCC.The cCR rate after CRT is closely correlated with the pCR and OS rates.

Objective To observe the effects of deep electroacupuncture on carlilage tissue in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rabbits. Meth-ods 40 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal group (A, n=10) and model group (n=30). The model group was modeled KOA with Hulth-Telhag way, and identified with X-ray. Then they were divided into no-treated group (B, n=10), deep electroacupuncture group (C, n=10) and routine electroacupuncture group (D, n=10) randomly. The groups C and D accepted electroacupuncture since 6 weeks after modeling, for 4 weeks. They were measured with pH of joint fluid, observed structure and pathology of cartilage under transmission electron microscope, detected apoptosis index, and determined the expression of acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) and p53 with Western blotting, and distribution of ASIC1 with immunohistochemistry in cartilage tissue. Re-sults The pHs of joint fluid from high to low were ranged as the groups A=C>D>B (P<0.01). The cartilage structure was more complete in the groups A, C and D than in the group B. The apoptosis rates from less to more were ranged as the groups A=C

Objective To investigate the clinical value of transumbilical single-port laparoscopic colorectal operation.Methods The clinical data of 25 patients with benign or malignant carcinoma at the upper part of the colon or rectum who were admitted to the No.4 People's Hospital of Zigong from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed,and the clinical experience of transumbilical single-port laparoscopic colorectal operation was summarized.Surgical procedure was selected according to the position and nature of the lesion.Patients were followed up via out-patient examination and phone call till March 2013.Results Partial colorectal resection was done on 14 patients,radical resection of right colon on 1 patient,radical resection of transverse colon on 1 patient,radical resection of left colon on 1 patient,radical resection of sigmoid colon on 2 patients and radical rectectomy on 6 patients.The operation was successfully carried out on 22 patients,2 patients received four-port laparoscopic colorectal operation,and 1 patient was converted to open surgery.The median length of the incision of single-port laparoscopic colorectal operation was 3.8 cm (range,3.5-4.5 cm),and the operation time was (192 ± 32) minutes.The intraoperative blood loss was (61 ± 21)mL,and the median diameter of the tumor was 2.7 cm (range,1.0-5.0 cm).The median number of lymph nodes dissected was 7 (range,3-22),the mean time of postoperative anal exhaust time was 2 days (range,1-5 days),and the mean time of postoperative hospital stay was 8 days (range,6-20 days).The incidence of postoperative complications was 8.0％ (2/25),including 1 patient with wound infection and 1 patient with anastomotic leakage.The circumferential resection margins of radically resected specimens were negative in 11 patients.Twenty-two patients who received transumbilical single-port laparoscopic colorectal resection were followed up,and the median time of follow-up was 12 months.Colorectal liver metastasis was detected on 1 patient at postoperative month 10,and the other patients survived without tumor recurrence or metastases.Conclusions Transumbilical singleport laparoscopic colorectal operation is safe,micro-traumatic and feasible,and it also has less complication and good cosmetic effect.

Objective To establish an indicator system for performance assessment of women and children health care institutions,and provide basis for performance management of such institutions.Methods In this study,literature searching,expert discussion,Delphi method,coefficient of variation method,correlation analysis,principal components analysis,factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to establish the indicator system.In addition,expert scoring and CRITIC methods were called into play to calculate the weight coefficient of each index,and to test the validity and reliability of such an indicator system.Results Thanks to the framework of this indicator system,we set up six class 1 indicators,including heahhcare quality,healthcare efficiency,quality and efficiency of public health service,social efficiency,economic benefit,and development potential.Conclusions Scientific studies can help us build a scientific and practical general performance assessment indicator system applicable to women and children care hospitals at all levels.